Natural Law Philosophy: Key Concepts and Moral Principles

Nature

The inherent order, structure, and purpose built into the world and human beings; what things are and what they are directed toward.

Natural Philosophers

Early thinkers (especially Greek) who sought to understand the world through reason and observation rather than myth.

Roman Stoics

Philosophers who believed that living according to reason and the natural order leads to virtue and inner freedom.

Right Reason

Reason properly aligned with moral truth; the ability to judge what is good, just, and natural.

Conscience

The inner moral awareness that guides a person to choose good and avoid evil.

Human Nature

The essential qualities, inclinations, and purposes shared by all humans.

Decalogue

The Ten Commandments, seen in natural-law theory as expressions of universal moral principles.

Law of Nations

Shared moral norms recognized across cultures (e.g., prohibitions on murder or theft).

Natural Inclination(s)

Built-in human tendencies toward goods such as life, knowledge, community, and reproduction.

End; Aim

The final purpose or goal toward which an action or being is directed.

Right Action

An action that aligns with reason and the fulfillment of human good.

Proportionate

Acting in a reasonable balance; the good achieved outweighs or fits the circumstances of the action.

Happiness

In natural law philosophy, the full flourishing of the human person through virtue.

First Precept

"Good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided"; the foundation of natural law.

Secondary Precept

More specific moral rules derived from the first precept (e.g., protect life, seek truth).

Natural (Human) Rights

Rights grounded in human nature, not granted by governments (e.g., life, liberty).

Objection

A challenge, counter-argument, or critique of a moral or philosophical claim.

Naturalistic Fallacy

The error of claiming that what is natural must therefore be morally right.

New

Natural Law,A modern version of natural law focusing on basic human goods and practical reasoning rather than biological determinism.

Self-Evident

A truth that becomes immediately clear to reason without needing further proof.

Basic

Human Goods,Fundamental values essential to human flourishing (e.g., life, knowledge, friendship, play).

Moral Predicament

A situation where competing moral duties or goods create a difficult ethical decision.

Moral Controversy

A debated issue where moral principles or interpretations conflict.

Artificial Intelligence

A modern moral topic involving questions of autonomy, responsibility, rights, and human impact.

Abortion

A major moral controversy dealing with questions of personhood, bodily rights, and the natural law's protection of human life.